The Role of the UN Secretary-General’s Representative in Resolving the Dispute over West Papua
The UN Secretary-General’s Representative, Ambassador Fernando Ortiz-Sanz ,acknowledged early on that he “. . .was not given any political or administrative authority, not even a supervisory function”. Rather, his role was to “advise, assist and participate in arrangements which are the responsibility of Indonesia for the act of free choice, having in mind the interests and welfare of the people of the territory”. (Article XVII and the preamble. UN doc. A17723, 1969, p. 4.) “Advice” was meant “to express views, offer counsel, make recommendations and suggest ap¬propriate measures to the Government, having in mind the existing prin¬ciples of the Agreement”. (Article XVII and the preamble. UN doc. A17723, 1969, p. 4.). This was to be done through the modality of consultations with the representative councils on procedures and appro¬priate methods to ascertain the will of the people; the formulation of ques¬tions in such a way as to permit the inhabitants to decide whether they wish to remain or sever their ties with Indonesia; and the preparation of a list of persons eligible to participate in the act of free choice. Read more…
